Player selectable gaming group

Abstract

In a gaming system which includes one or more gaming machines, players are able to form specifically designated groups. A player may form a group of other designated players or may designate other gaming machines to be included in a group. Based upon player input of players or machines, a group is formed. In one embodiment, a jackpot is associated with the group. In event a designated winning criteria is met by a player in the group then the jackpot is award to one or more players of the group.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of forming a player group relative to a gaming system which includes a plurality of gaming machines comprising the steps of:
 receiving input from a first player, said input comprising an identification of at least one second player;   forming a gaming group of said first and at least one second player;   associating a jackpot with said group;   tracking wager-based game play by said first and at least one second player at one or more of said gaming machines of said gaming system;   determining if a player of said group has achieved a jackpot winning criteria; and   if so, awarding at least a portion of said jackpot to said one or more players of said group.   
     
     
         2 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transmitting a group invitation to said at least one second player; and   adding said at least one second player to said group if said group invitation is accepted.   
     
     
         3 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said identification of at least one second player comprises a name associated with said at least one second player. 
     
     
         4 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising providing a map of said plurality of gaming machines, said map including an identifier for each active player associated with said plurality of gaming machines, wherein said identification of at least one second player comprises a selection of said identifier on said map. 
     
     
         5 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said jackpot is a progressive jackpot. 
     
     
         6 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein awarding at least a portion of said jackpot comprises awarding a substantially equal portion of said jackpot to said one or more players of said group. 
     
     
         7 . A method of forming a player group relative to a gaming system which includes at least two gaming machines comprising the steps of:
 receiving input from a first player of a first gaming machine, said input comprising an identification of at least one selected second gaming machine;   forming a gaming group of said first and said at least one second gaming machine;   associating a jackpot with said group;   tracking wager-based game play at said gaming machines of said group;   determining if a jackpot winning criteria has been met at one of said gaming machines of said group; and   if so, awarding at least a portion of said jackpot at one or more of said gaming machines of said group.   
     
     
         8 . A method in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein tracking wager-based game play comprises tracking wager-based game play using a player tracking system. 
     
     
         9 . A method in accordance with  claim 7 , further comprising providing a map of said at least two gaming machines. 
     
     
         10 . A method in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein said identification of at least one selected gaming machine is based on a location of said at least one selected gaming machine on said map. 
     
     
         11 . A method in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein awarding at least a portion of said jackpot comprises awarding a substantially equal portion of said jackpot to each of said gaming machines in said group. 
     
     
         12 . A gaming system that includes at least two gaming machines, said gaming system configured to:
 receive input from a first player of a first gaming machine, said input comprising an identification of at least one selected second gaming machine;   form a gaming group of said first and said at least one second gaming machine;   associate a jackpot with said group;   track wager-based game play at said gaming machines of said group;   determine if a jackpot winning criteria has been met at one of said gaming machines of said group; and   if so, award at least a portion of said jackpot at one or more of said gaming machines of said group.   
     
     
         13 . A gaming system in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein said wager-based game play comprises game play of a plurality of games, at least two of said plurality of games being different. 
     
     
         14 . A gaming system in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein said at least one second gaming machine comprises a mobile device. 
     
     
         15 . A gaming system in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein said first gaming machine is located at a first location and said at least one second gaming machine is located at a second location that is remote from said first location. 
     
     
         16 . A gaming system in accordance with  claim 12 , further comprising a player tracking system configured to track wager-based game play at said gaming machines of said group.